Norfolk & Suffolk NG Modellers Open Day, Beccles, 01 June 2024

Normally, I should not even consider driving across the 300+ mile width of the country from an hour to the west of the Severn Bridge all the way to Beccles in faraway Suffolk and back again in the same day, but I’m not “normal” (according to some, who know me better than I do) and, after finding it “do-able” to drive an over 400 miles return trip to Merseyside two weeks previously in a day, then “what would an extra 120 miles or so each way matter?”, particularly as I learned of several friends in the hobby who were also travelling long and long-ish distances to be there.

Was it worth it? Yes indeed it was, a great little show to visit and enjoy, excellent variety of top quality modelling, a friendly and informal atmosphere, renewing acquaintances with friends old and new, and a very well organised event indeed.

After getting home at the end of a 17½ hour day from departure at 3.30am to return at 9pm, and another 640 miles clocked up on the ailing car I have at least come to the stark reality conclusion that an overnight stay would have been a much better and safer option, but that’s a lesson learned (possibly!) and to answer the “Would I visit an N&SNGM Open Day again?” question, I certainly would like to, if I prepare a bit better than making the decision to “do it” the day before the event next time!

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for This Report

Merseyside & Southwest Lancs Narrow Gauge Group meeting, Rainford, 18 May 2024

In recent years, the Group has grown through Stan Williams’ regular routine Saturday afternoon meet ups and other special occasions, in the compact Corpus Christi church hall in Rainford, to regular attendances of over 60 and sometimes many more, who come along from, in some cases, long distances from all over the north, as well as occasional “guest” appearances from even further, at what has become popularly known as “Stan’s Tea Party” (the other colloquialism “NG Stan” is usually reserved for larger events!).

I was in the area last year and was able to make a visit (see my 2023 roving report). I was very impressed, so with the anniversary of that visit approaching I made the decision to abandon the budget or the mileage on the car, get up early and head into the motorway system towards the north west! Fortunately neither the M4, M5 or M6 were as bad as they were the previous year, and I made it with a car parking space still available and the kettle already boiling just after opening time at mid day!

 Another splendid afternoon amongst similarly afflicted narrow gauge modelling friends new and old and once again I very much enjoyed and valued the visit. The only downside of these sort of long distance expeditions is having to go all the way back home afterwards and try to account for the insane damage to personal stamina and the household finances for petrol – but well worth it. Thank you to Stan Williams for laying this regular little event on and to David Hennessey (and Alan Mountfield on this occasion) for keeping the kettle topped up throughout the afternoon. Must do it again sometime!

Click on the link below the following photo to access the album and then the first image which will then open up the “Roving Report” with all the captioned photos. 

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for this Report

Narrow Gauge South, Barton Peverill College Eastleigh, 27 April 2024

Once again it is time for the biennial Narrow Gauge South, The Wessex Narrow Gauge Modeller’s biennial event which originated with a show in Southampton in 1976 and has been held regularly ever since. By 1982 it had evolved into the large event that it has become and is now one of just two of the surviving big specialist shows in the UK, along with Narrow Gauge North, in Leeds, that are held regularly, since the demise of Expo NG and NG Southwest. This year’s event is the third time that it has been held in Eastleigh, in Barton Peveril College and the 100 or so enthusiasts who participated as layout exhibitors, traders, society/association publicity stands or in the host “team”, were joined by over 400 visitors. 

To quote part of Exhibition Manager Tim Couling’s welcome in the very comprehensive illustrated 21 page complimentary show guide (other exhibition and open day managers please note!): 

“A warm “Welcome Back!” and thank you once again for joining Wessex Narrow Gauge Modellers at this year’s Narrow Gauge South model railway exhibition.”

“Narrow Gauge South is the largest and longest running specialist narrow gauge railway exhibition in the UK and we are pleased to offer this showcase of “all things Narrow Gauge”once again here at Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh.”

At the time of writing this introduction, mid June 2024, the superb show guide is still accessible as a PDF document and can be found in the Wessex NGM and NG South website by clicking  HERE

A number of viewers of my reports have commented that reading through the captions and seeing the photos are likened to having an online visit to what an event was like, so in this report I have tried to keep this in mind by taking at least one photo of every one of the 50 stands that were present, so that all trade and society publicity stands have been included as well as all the layouts. Additionally I have kept them into their stand number sequence, from stand 1 through to 50 for the benefit of anyone who would like to follow the report in harness with the show guide. 

I apologise in advance to the culinary enthusiasts and critics that I haven’t included any photos of the breakfast or lunch that were available from the College restaurant – check out my NG South report for 2022 for images of both of these. Nothing has changed except the price has gone up and the plastic knife and fork has changed to a wooden knife (good) and a compressed paper type of fork (very, very bad – try sticking that into a rasher of bacon!). 

So, that’s enough of all that I think, let’s get on with the show and I do hope that you enjoy the visit to Narrow Gauge South 2024!

PART 1 features stands 1 to 19, including the following layouts

Stand:

5          Lynton & Barnstaple Modules 016.5                        Paul Steedman

10        Bryn y Felin 009                                                       Matthew Kean

12        Andeer H0m                                                             Julia & Derek Boswell

13        Green End 009                                                         David Gander

14        Newton Heath Works 0/016.2                                  Mike Baker

16        Surrey & Sussex Black Sheep Modules 0n30         Simon Cox

17        Ryedown Lane 009                                                  Patrick Collins

19        Kaninchenbau  H0e                                                 Iain Morrison

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 1 of this Report

PART 2 features stands 20 to 30, including the following layouts:

Stand:

20        Little Himalayan Railwy 009                                       Giles Perkins

22        Kurseong  009                                                            John Crane

23        Tarrant Valley Railway 009                                         Stuart Webb

24        Wickhambreux Road 009                                           David Marshall

25        Portpyn  1:34                                                              Christopher Payne

27        Clearwater Harbor  0n30                                            Stephen Waterfield

28        Dinas Mawddwy  EM                                                  Andy Cundick

29        Tan y Llyn  009                                                           Steve Flay

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 2 of this Report

PART 3 features Stands 31 to 50, including the following layouts:

Stand:

31        Sandy Shores  009                                                    Jamie Warne

33        Isle of Morella - 5.5mm Modular Group                     Steve Jones

34        Bowcombe Bridge 009                                               Nic Arthur

35        Tansey Bank & Hobbs Row Halt                                Bob Vaughan

37        Crossways Wagon Works 0 & 09                               John Cavell

38        Hawkridge 009                                                            Chris Mould

40        Castle Careinion 009                                                   Martyn Harrison

43        Gweithdy Dyffryn  014                                                 Derek Harris

45        East Quay  009                                                            John Niblett

46        Fintonagh  0n3 (21mm gauge)                                    David Holman

48        Cezanne  HOm                                                            Ian Pollock

49        Gemtø:  Ikkehavn  H0e                                               Richard Williams

Click HERE to View the Photo Album for Part 3 of this Report

That's it for this report - 200 photos this time, I hope you have enjoyed the visit to Narrow Gauge South, lots more reports to hopefully come before the next NGS in 2026!